~Aurora.
I cleared my throat for the nth time and straightened my back against the chair. All that Jessie was trying to tell me became obvious to me. Ethan and Isadora were no longer a couple.
Who would have taught all there was going on while I was away? Who would have thought Isadora would ever leave Ethan and for his best friend?
Keenan had been very supportive of me and Ethan's relationship, or was that just a front to snatch me away from Ethan, just like he did Isadora? Did they fall in love with each other? Hadn't Isadora been in love with Ethan? I mean she still addressed him by 'love' so what happened? What happened?
A million and one questions ran through my mind, and I took a sip of my wine -for the first time since dinner- to keep them from escaping my mouth. Despite the fact that Isadora and I weren't best of friends, I was glad that she was okay.
Ethan was maintained his position; both hands placed gracefully on his laps and his face straight and lacking any visible emotion. He was brooding, it wasn't obvious, but I knew he was. He was hurt, not everybody would have been able to survive it had they been in Ethan's shoes.
“That was quite an interesting brunch,” I said softly, but, my voice tended to echo throughout the dinning area. Ethan only raised a brow without turning to look at me nor shifting in his seat.
“Are you alright, though? Isadora said some pretty hurtful things here. I'm sorry, Ethan… how,” I sucked in my teeth sharply, “how do I say this? I'm sorry, okay. I know that perhaps you weren't ready for all of that to be said at the table but, even if you were, nobody deserves to be spoken like that.”
Ethan scoffed and finally detached his palms from his laps to lock them on top of the table. I raised a brow waiting for a comment or reaction, but his face remained straight.
“Ethan, I-”
“Why don't you just go to the point, Aurora.” Ethan snapped.
“What point?”
“The part where you would laugh at me and tell me that I deserve it. That I deserve everything that happened.”
My brows knitted, “why would I do that?”
“Why wouldn't you?” He turned to me completely, his eyes staring directly into mine. Zoey jumped in me in reaction to his stares.
How could she be doing that when I was mad at Ethan? And what was I even thinking, trying to sympathize with him? Ethan was still Ethan and just like Isadora, some people never change.
I returned his look, trying so hard to keep Zoey down, “Whatever, Ethan. You can say what you like.” I let my chair dragged against the ground as I got up and just as I began storming out of the dinning room, I felt a grip around my wrist as Ethan pulled me to him.
I almost fell as I turned to him, but, I managed to grab him by the shoulders to steady myself.
I was standing close to him when I opened my eyes, his hot breath falling on me, and my stomach churned from nostalgia. The position was familiar, too familiar. And I didn't like the feeling it gave me. The sound of my thumping heart and the heaviness of Ethan's breath were the only sounds that were heard in the room.
Feeling attacked by nostalgia and Zoey, I dropped my hands from his shoulder and pulled my hand off his grip.
“You can't hate me this night. I have already had the hate to my fill, perhaps you can try again tomorrow.”
I sighed, “I don't hate you, Ethan.”
“You really need to stop acting like you care.”
“Whatever makes you think I am faking it, Ethan?” I stressed, and he kept replying with the most composed and calm tone.
“I hurt you.”
I scoffed, “that happened when? Forever?”
A hint of shock ran through his face before disappearing, “ten years ago, Aurora but, who is counting?”
“That still doesn't justify your claims.”
“You're happy, Aurora. You have a husband, and you have a child with him, you have a job, you love your job, and you are doing well in it and I…I have been losing. In every area. You should mock me about that.”
I chuckled softly, trying my best to keep the 'husband thing' from clouding my thoughts, “then, I guess we can safely say that what goes around truly does come around.”
His expression darkened as he held my eyes, staring into my eyes as though he could see my soul through them.
“Yeah. Yeah, I guess we can say that.” His expression unchanging.
“Heavens! Ethan. Whatever.” I said and turned on my heels counting a thousand and one reasons in my head while I should stop caring about people, but Ethan caught my wrist, stopping me from leaving the room.
“You can't hate me tonight, remember?”
If only he knew that I could never hate him. He had hurt me and I had taken my time to forgive him over the years, and all I just wanted was for him to stay away from Arne and me.
Zoey, jumped when his fingers brushed over my wrist. And again. And again. Was he doing that on purpose?
“I am sorry, Aurora. For everything.” My heart shattered as it dropped to my stomach and the butterflies fluttered around it.
I never realized that the feeling of wanting to hear Ethan's apology that I thought I pushed away was still there. I had forgiven him without getting an apology, thinking that I never needed one, but, from the way my heart stilled at those words, I realized I needed them.
Slowly, I turned to him, wishing he had said those words ten years earlier.
Yes, Ethan, I was counting too.
“I am sorry, Aurora.” He finally let go of my hand and closed up the gap between us in one stride, leaving only a foot distance between us.
My heart thumped. Zoey melted. She couldn't stand it, I couldn't stand it, and I took two steps back for my sake and my sanity.
“I guess the both of us got a fair share of experience.”
He nodded once, “I guess so.”
“I am sorry. Too. Ethan. You were also hurt by Isadora and your best friend, and I can't begin to imagine the amount of pain you experienced. But it's all good, yeah? Now you know when for who they are, and you can decide to keep them out of your life. I did that, and you could too.”
Ethan chuckled, “you got a certificate in counseling too?”
“Yes. From life.” I mirrored his expression and he laughed.
“How is your boy?”
“Arne. His name his Arne.”
“Oh, forgive me ma'am, you never introduced us properly, and I guess that can't happen again since he appears to hate me.”
“And what if I told you that you have a shot at redeeming yourself.”
“Oh, really? What can I do, milady?”
I raised a brow as a sly smile crept up on my face.